Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was sentenced to four years in prison by Oslo District Court after being convicted of rape, domestic violence and several other offences. The 29-year-old was found guilty of two rape counts, abuse in a close relationship, drug offences, traffic violations and vandalism, while being cleared of two other rape allegations.
Prosecutors had asked for seven years and seven months in prison, significantly more than the court’s four-year sentence.
Høiby has already filed an appeal against the conviction, and prosecutors have also appealed, arguing that the four-year sentence is too lenient. He remains in custody while the case moves into the appeals process.
The sentence came after a high-profile trial that drew intense attention because of Høiby’s link to the Norwegian royal family. Prosecutors had sought a significantly longer prison term, reportedly seven years and seven months, making the court’s ruling a major focal point of the case.
What the court found
According to the reporting available, the court convicted Høiby on two rape charges, one of which involved an assault at the crown prince’s residence. He was also found guilty of domestic abuse against a former girlfriend, along with drug crimes, traffic offences and vandalism. He denied the most serious allegations but admitted some lesser offences during the case.
The judgment also included compensation for the women involved, and one report says the court imposed a two-year restraining order protecting one victim. Høiby’s legal team has said he intends to appeal, and prosecutors have separately appealed the sentence as too lenient.
Custody and next steps
Høiby has been held since February, after a pre-trial arrest on fresh allegations including assault, threats with a knife and breach of a restraining order. An Oslo appellate court previously rejected a bid to free him from custody, saying the risk of reoffending had not significantly changed. Earlier reporting also indicated that the court had not been persuaded by arguments related to his mother’s serious illness.
The next phase is likely to be an appeals trial in 2027, although the exact timing has not yet been fixed in the reporting available. Until then, Høiby is expected to remain in custody while the legal process continues.
Impact on the royal family
A Norstat survey conducted during the trial showed public support for retaining the monarchy plummeted to a historic low of 60%, while those favoring a different system of governance rose to 27%. The scandal is magnified because one of the rapes took place inside the basement of Skaugum, the crown prince’s official estate.
The case has become one of the most damaging scandals to hit the Norwegian royal family in years, not only because of the seriousness of the allegations but also because of how far the proceedings have reached into the family’s public image.
